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The Memorial Park Conservancy will break ground in 2026 on a project that includes transforming 100 acres along West Memorial Loop Drive into a new park that will pay tribute to Houston's World War I history and provide new parking, restrooms, recreational amenities, play areas and green space.

About the project: Known as Memorial Groves, the focal point of the expansion will be a forest of more than 2,000 bald cypress trees that will be planted in a grid around the existing trees to symbolize soldiers standing in formation.

Additionally, on the north end of the forest, trenches inspired by the warfare tactic will be framed on two sides by grassy, 12-foot-tall earthen mounds with a reflective water feature at the center. The entire park will also include interpretive features, signage and exhibits distributed through the landscape, as well as the unearthed foundations of several camp buildings.

The latest update: Construction for Memorial Groves is slated to begin in 2026, with a target completion in late 2027.

The locally-owned coffee shop franchise is set to open a new location in the Houston Heights area, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. 

On the menu: The menu features all-day breakfast options such as biscuits, croissants and bagels as well as sandwiches and flatbreads. As for drinks, Slowpokes serves coffee, teas, specialty lattes, refreshers and wine. 

About the project: According to the filing, the Heights location is set to open near the intersection of 11th Street and Ella Boulevard. The $250,000 renovation is slated to begin construction in February and to be completed in August. Details are subject to change.

• 3001 W. 11th St., Houston

Flooding is expected to be reduced for up to 238 homes and businesses located near Turkey Gully after Houston City Council voted to expedite a drainage and paving project for the area Jan. 14.

The overview: Work for the Turkey Gully drainage and paving project will be located near the intersection of W. 21st and Bevis streets. The project will include:

• Acquiring parcels of land for the project through dedication, purchase or condemnation
• Building a new storm trunk system to push water from Turkey Gully into White Oak Bayou
• Improving storm drainage systems

Some Texas film industry leaders say the state is on its way to becoming the third “media coast,” joining Los Angeles and New York as film production hubs. A recent increase in state funding is helping buoy that growth, said Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that advocates for the advancement of the state’s film industry.

The details: Through 2035, $1.5 billion in state incentives will be available for movies, television shows, documentaries and related projects created in Texas.

To be eligible for the program funding under Senate Bill 22, at least 35% of a production’s cast and crew must live in Texas and at least 60% of the work must be done in-state, according to the Texas Film Commission. Grant reimbursements start at 5% and go up to 31%, depending on how much a production spends and other aspects of the project.

The local impact: After SB 22 became law Sept. 1, some local governments across Texas—including Austin, San Antonio and Houston—expanded or launched their own film incentive programs.